On 6 and 7 January 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Members of the College of the European Commission attended the inaugural meeting of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Paris, France. The priorities of France's presidency are reflected in its motto: 'Recovery, strength and a sense of belonging'. The activities of the French Presidency will focus on three main areas: pursuing an agenda for European sovereignty, building a new European growth model, and creating a more ’human-sized’ Europe. On this occasion, Ursula von der Leyen and the Members of the College met with Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and Members of the French Government and the French Parliament. They also participated in a ceremony at the Panthéon in honour of Jean Monnet and Simone Veil.